CFI John R Evans Leaders Fund Overview JELF Application & Matching Provincial Application
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Established by the Government of Canada in 1997 The CFI s mandate is to make financial contributions to Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research organizations to increase their capability to carry out high quality research
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) The CFI s Objectives: Increase Canada s capability to carry out world-class scientific research and technology development Support economic growth and job creation, as well as health and environmental quality through innovation Expand research and job opportunities by providing support through research infrastructure for the development of highly qualified personnel Promote productive networks and collaboration among Canadian institutions and the private sector
How are CFI Awards Different? CFI projects are awarded to the institution, rather than to faculty members The PI is the Project Leader Vice President (Research) is the Project Holder Institution is accountable PI is responsible CFI funds the acquisition of infrastructure, not research CFI has very specific guidelines
Proposal Development Process: Typical (operating) Grant
Proposal Development Process: CFI Projects
Institutional Submission to the CFI UofA Suite of Proposals
John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) Enables institution s to undertake leading-edge research by providing them with research infrastructure to be or become leaders in the field JELF Unaffiliated Stream Individual or small groups Maximum 3 applicants Allocation-based the maximum amount of funding is pre-determined
The CFI s Process for Reviewing JELF Proposals Key Criteria: 1. Research or Technology Development 2. Researchers 3. Need For the Infrastructure/Budget Justification 4. Training of Highly Qualified Personnel 5. Benefits to Canadians 6. Institutional Commitment and Sustainability
The CFI s Review Process for JELF Proposals (for JELF-Unaffiliated Stream, CFI request <$400K)* Proposals are reviewed by minimum of two expert reviewers If necessary, the CFI: Seeks input from one (or more) additional expert reviewers And/or seeks input from the JELF Advisory Committee The CFI s Board of Directors makes the final funding decision * The majority of JELF applications submitted fall into this category. Unaffiliated JELF applications with a CFI request of >$400K, and JELF applications submitted through the Partnerships stream, are assessed by reviewers for the same criteria, but are assessed through different review processes.
Typical Award Funding Structure 20% 40% TOTAL PROJECT COST CFI (Max) EDT (Max) Other (i.e.in-kind, UofA) 40%
Alberta Economic Development and Trade (EDT) Research Capacity Program (RCP) Supports proposals that are aligned with the outcomes and priorities of the Government of Alberta and the research priorities expressed in the strategic plans of applicant institutions Goal is to enable projects to leverage support from the CFI and other funding sources Small Equipment Grant (EDT-SEG) stream: matches JELF awards Competitive program
Provincial Review Process EDT-SEG application is reviewed by a multi-disciplinary provincial panel Reviewers are independent from CFI Reviewers have access to CFI reviewers comments Funding decision made by Minister of Economic Development and Trade
Research or Technology Development Quality of Research or Technology Development Calibre of Researchers/Research Team Need for infrastructure Contribution to Business Innovation Capacity for Innovation Institutional commitment and sustainability Training of Highly Qualified Personnel Benefits to Canada Provincial Review Criteria Improvement to society/health and environment/quality of life/public policy and economic activity Benefits to Alberta (Alberta Alignment) Alignment with Government of Alberta research and innovation priorities Alignment with University of Alberta research and innovation priorities *Ref: 2016/2017 Research Capacity Program Guidelines
CFI JELF Application Success Rate For JELF proposals submitted between October 2013 and June 2016*: 49/61 fully awarded (80% of applications submitted) 1/61 partially awarded (2% of applications submitted) 11/61 not funded (18% of applications submitted) *For Unaffiliated JELF proposals with a CFI request of $400,000 or less. During the same period, 2/4 applications submitted to Unaffiliated Stream with a CFI request >$400,000 were also awarded, while 4/4 applications submitted through the Partnerships stream were awarded.
EDT-SEG Application Success Rate For EDT-SEG proposals submitted between 2014 to 2016: 47/50 EDT-SEG applications awarded (94% success rate)* Note: EDT-SEG applications associated with JELF proposals that were not funded by the CFI were not submitted and/or reviewed by EDT *For EDT-SEG applications matched to Unaffiliated JELF proposals with a CFI request of $400,000 or less.